Projects on the PB3 Ballot

posted by Michelle Monsegur | 11sc
December 03, 2016

What's on the PB3 ballot?

Over 60 volunteer Budget Delegates worked hard this fall to research all 548 ideas submitted by community members over the summer and develop the following 20 proposals for the ballot. Make sure you vote for your favorite PB projects from December 3-9!

PARKS & RECREATION

1. UNIVERSAL DESIGN: PLAYGROUNDS FOR EVERYONE! ($100,000)1-2 playgrounds to be determined by community processUniversal Design playground equipment is designed to be usable by everyone without special adaptations or retrofitting. Let’s go beyond legally required minimum accessibility standards to ensure our playgrounds truly welcome everyone!

4. LEARN ABOUT NATURE IN THE PORT ($10,000)Greene-Rose Heritage Park or nearbyArtistic signs would educate children and adults about nature in the city. The signs would contain information about local wildlife and the ecosystems and would include a map of habitats around Cambridge.

CULTURE & COMMUNITY FACILITIES ('BRIDGE BUILDERS)

5. CAMBRIDGE STREET ART TRAIL ($25,000)8-10 highly visible community locationsCommission local artists to create a series of murals and street art reflecting Cambridge's vibrancy and diversity. Increase space for publicly created street art (like that in "Graffiti Alley" in Central Square).

7. LIGHTING LANDMARKS: CHLS GATE & SUMNER STATUE ($45,000)Broadway & Ellery Street, Harvard Square-MacArthur ParkEffective light design for Cambridge landmarks can make our city as livable at night as in the day. Well-designed lighting would enhance these landmarks and increase public safety.

8. LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES FOR CHILDREN ($37,000)13 locations at playgrounds and parksLittle free libraries are beautiful, functional works of art that help build community. They develop literacy skills and encourage a love of reading by making it easy for families to exchange books in an informal, neighborhood setting.

10. WIRELESS SPEAKERS FOR YOUTH CENTERS ($25,000)Cambridge Youth CentersAdding wireless surround sound speakers to the youth centers benefits young people doing homework, playing basketball, and other activities. Bringing music to the youth centers will bring more youth to these centers.

12. FREE PUBLIC WI-FI IN COLUMBIA PARK ($32,000)Columbia ParkInternet access is an essential right. Adding free Wi-Fi to Columbia Park (Clement G. Morgan Park) will enable people to access information for school and work.

STREETS & SIDEWALKS (STREETSMARTS)

13. KINETIC ENERGY TILES ($50,000)Harvard Square, CRLSKinetic energy tiles are tiles that generate energy from your footsteps! We want to introduce these tiles into our city and get Cambridge residents involved with clean energy! These tiles can power streetlights, phones, or laptops.

15. BUILDING A STRONG AND SAFE BIKE COMMUNITY ($114,000)Main Public Library and public schoolsCambridge has cyclists aged under 8 to over 80. To educate and protect bicyclists and bicycles, we propose offering free helmets with safety training for grade school students and installing an artistic bike shelter at the Main Library.

16. SAFER CROSSWALKS FOR BUSY ROADS ($104,000)Specific locations citywide (see full proposal)Install flashing light signs on six crosswalks that pedestrians can activate before crossing the street. These flashing signs make drivers more aware of crossing pedestrians to help prevent crashes, especially at night.

HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT & SAFETY

17. SOLAR POWER SHINES! ($260,000)Rooftop of Main Public LibraryLet’s power the public library with clean, renewable energy! Adding solar panels to our main library will help Cambridge meet our climate goals by reducing emissions, saving money over time, and serving as an example for patrons.

18. HYDRATION STATIONS IN FOUR LOCATIONS ($37,000)Four locations throughout CambridgeAdditional water fountains and bottle refill stations will help residents stay hydrated and reduce waste from plastic bottles! One of the new fountains will be designed to reflect Cambridge, like the artistic water fountain at Fresh Pond.

19. SAFE NAPS FOR CAMBRIDGE PRESCHOOLERS! ($4,000)King Open & Peabody Preschools, Baby U, Center for FamiliesNew healthy PVC-free nap mats will help Cambridge preschoolers sleep safely! We will purchase 80 mats for programs still using old mats that are coated with PVC, a chemical associated with negative health effects. All kids in Cambridge preschools deserve a safe nap!

20. (2-3) LEVEL 2 ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS ($30,000)City locationsAdding electric vehicle charging stations to crowded neighborhoods without garages will send a powerful message that now is the time we can all buy electric cars. We will reduce pollution and support a transition to clean transportation.

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